Back Pain
Since back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, it is vital to know how to prevent the cause of back pain. By maintaining a healthy diet and weight, remaining active and avoiding prolonged inactivity or bed rest are all important ways to avoid back pain. Before doing exercises or any physical activity, it is recommended to warm up and/or stretch.
Shin Splints
Shin splints are painful sensations on the sides of the leg bone caused by muscle or tendon inflammation, usually seen in athletes.
Proper stretching before and after exercising can drastically reduce the occurrence of shin splints. Corrective shoes and/or orthotics can also aid in the prevention of shin splints.
For questions about shin splints or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (208) 336-7900!
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Arthritis
Arthritis, or joint pain or joint disease, is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children are suffering from some type of arthritis. Common symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to perform normal day-to-day activities, and has the potential to cause permanent joint damage.
To determine whether or not you may be suffering from arthritis or to determine the severity, your medical professional will perform blood tests and conduct an imaging scan (ie: x-ray, CAT scan or MRI). Eating healthy, staying active, and understanding your type of arthritis and treatment options are crucial to decreasing your discomfort and paving the way for an enjoyable, happy life.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CTS is a problem of the median nerve which runs from the forearm into the hand. When there is excessive pressure in the wrist, it causes swelling of the median nerve. This small area called the carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel at the wrist made up of bones, soft tissues, nerves, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. When the median nerve which runs through this tunnel gets compressed it causes pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the hand and wrist which radiates into the forearm. The carpal tunnel is the most common area that gets compressed in both the hands and feet.
CTS should be diagnosed and treated early. During your consultation, you will receive a standard physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders and neck to help determine if your symptoms are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder. Our highly skilled chiropractor will also utilize other orthopedic tests to try to produce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Laboratory tests and x-rays can reveal diabetes, arthritis, fractures, and other common causes of wrist and hand pain.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve can happen in a variety of places throughout the body with some of the most common being the lower spine, wrists, neck, and legs. A pinched nerve occurs when the muscles or tendons around the nerve are inflamed, putting pressure on the nerve and either causing pain or even numbness throughout the extremities related or attached to this affected nerve.
Your pinched nerve may be caused by different physical conditions such as carpal tunnel or a herniated disc. Though pinched nerves can be painful, the majority of patients find that their pinched nerve(s) goes away on its own.
If the pinched nerve does not resolve itself and you have persistent pain that lasts for more than a few days, you should seek medical attention by scheduling an appointment at LifeLine Chiropractic Center with our chiropractor. This is especially true if you’ve tried at-home treatments but feel like your pain is worsening as time progresses. With pinched nerves, it’s important to seek medical attention in order to identify the underlying cause of the pinched nerve to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Neck Pain
The neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. The cervical spine supports the full weight of your head which is on average about 12 pounds. While the cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction, this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.
TMJ
TMJ is an abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint which connects the mandibular, or your lower jaw, to the temporal bones of the skull. The TMJ is one of the more unique joints within your body as it allows you to move your jaw forward, backward, and side to side so that you can chew, talk, sing, yawn, and more. This joint can be found just in front of your ears on both sides of your head.
Any problem with the muscles, ligaments, discs, bones, or the joint itself are known as temporomandibular disorders or TMD and refers to the actual disorder, where the jaw joint is misaligned and causing problems such as pain, inflammation, and inability to move or operate the jaw. However, these problems or conditions are often incorrectly called by the joint name of TMJ instead.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a very common condition and affects almost half of the U.S. Most patients feel some sort of pain, limited range of motion, an inability to engage in activities of daily living (ADL) or something more serious as a permanent disability.
Headaches/ Migraines
Nine out of ten Americans say that they suffer from headaches. Some of these people experience headaches frequently. Some experience constant headaches that are very painful. These can even make a person nauseous. Ninety-five percent of headaches are tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused from a disease, but from something in your body that is not sitting correctly.
Sports Injury
Sports can be very taxing on your body, no matter what you play. Our trusted staff will work with you to get to the root of your problem and help you feel better again. We help treat and also prevent injuries in the neck, back, shoulders, knees, and ankles. We are able to manually adjust your spine, relieving any pain that you are feeling. This will allow your body to function much better after the injury.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a medical condition caused by damaged nerve cells and often associated with autoimmune diseases, infections, diabetes, tumors, or hereditary conditions. Peripheral neuropathy currently affects over 20 million people in the United States with symptoms ranging from tingling or burning pain and nausea to muscle spasms, difficulty moving your arms or legs, or atrophy.
Heel Spurs/Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain is one of the most common complaints from patients. While heel spurs may or may not show up on an x-ray, the spurs themselves are a result of the actual problem: plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is caused from inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes to where it attaches to the heel bone. Symptoms include stiffness and tightness in the back of the leg and bunion joint, along with an uneven gait. Heel pain is often the first sign of plantar fasciitis.
Treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, stretch exercises, steroid injections, orthotics, and physical therapy. For persistent cases, Radio Frequency Lesioning may be needed.
For more information on plantar fasciitis or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (208) 336-7900!
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Sciatica
Sciatica is characterized by pain in the lower back that radiates down one or both legs. The pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, like “pins and needles” or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity from mild to severe, and frequency may range from occasional to constant. The onset is generally gradual and not necessarily associated with a previous event. Sciatica is also known as radiating or referred pain, neuropathy, or neuralgia.
Vertigo
Vertigo is the feeling that you are moving when you’re not. This sensation can be triggered by movements such as turning your head too quickly or looking down from a great distance, but it is ultimately caused by problems in the inner ear, brain, or brainstem. There are two different forms of vertigo with each stemming from various medical issues: peripheral vertigo and central vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo results in a problem with your inner ear and thus your balance, while central vertigo occurs when your brain or brainstem are suffering from a disease originating from your central nervous system (CNS). Peripheral vertigo is typically more severe, and central vertigo is more gradual in its onset. Regardless of the type of dizziness you are experiencing, more than likely, your quality of life is suffering because of it.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is when natural changes in the discs of your spine cause pain. The discs between vertebrae act as shock absorbers for your spine, and as you age, they begin to lose flexibility. While this is a normal part of aging, it should not cause pain. If you experience pain due to this, it is classified as degenerative disc disease.
Each disc is composed of a sturdy outer wall and a soft, gel-like inner core. When we are born, these discs are primarily composed of water, but as age advances, the discs lose some of this water content and begin to get thinner. As you might imagine, this means each disc doesn’t absorb the shocks of everyday life as well.
Whiplash
According to the American Chiropractic Association, one of the most common causes of neck pain is whiplash resulting from a car accident. A sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any direction and the resulting “rebound” in the opposite direction is known as whiplash. The sudden “whipping” motion injures the surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Muscles react by tightening and contracting, creating muscle fatigue, which can result in pain and stiffness. Severe whiplash can also be associated with injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, muscles, and nerve roots.
Slipped Disc
A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc, is one of the most common conditions to affect the spine. While it can occur anywhere along your spine, it most frequently occurs in the neck or lower back. Discs are essentially small cushions that sit between each of the vertebrae in your spine. When a disc herniates or slips, the disc ruptures, allowing the nerve center to move and become pinched between the vertebrae.
Before our chiropractor can prescribe the best treatment, additional medical tests may be necessary to better diagnose the severity of your slipped disc. These tests can include x-rays, MRIs or cat scans, and are all non-invasive but will help our chiropractor to correctly identify and treat your disc herniation.
The majority of disc herniations do not require surgery, but our chiropractor may prescribe nonsurgical treatments such as bed rest, physical therapy, and even anti-inflammatory medications to help alleviate your pain. If you do require surgery, our chiropractor will discuss the different types of surgical options available to you and answer any questions you may have.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or think you may have a herniated disc, call us today at (208) 336-7900 to request your appointment at LifeLine Chiropractic Center with our chiropractor.
Tennis Elbow
Also known as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is an overuse and muscle strain injury in which the tendons in your elbow are overworked, causing severe pain and discomfort. The pain primarily occurs where your forearm muscle tendons attach to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow.
This painful condition is not exclusive to athletes and affects people frequently engaging in strenuous, repetitive wrist and arm motions such as home service professionals like carpenters, handymen, and painters. Tennis elbow can be identified through the presence of the following symptoms:
- Pain radiating from the outside of your elbow into your forearm and wrist
- Weakness in your hands and wrists
- Elbow or wrist stiffness
To treat your tennis elbow, our chiropractor may prescribe certain exercises or massages to alleviate the pain, to wear an elbow strap, refrain from strenuous activity, or take medicine such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, to help your body heal.
If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above or suffering from tennis elbow, call us today at (208) 336-7900 to request your appointment at LifeLine Chiropractic Center with our chiropractor.
Allergies
Chiropractic adjustments aren’t just for your joints or muscles but are also beneficial in their ability to improve function of your nervous system and reduce allergy symptoms. At its best, your immune system fights infections and prevents disease to keep you healthy but sometimes, it could use a little help. Research has shown that regular chiropractic adjustments improves your nervous system, which directly impacts the strength of your immune system, and when your immune system is strong, it can better fight off sickness and allergens.
If you are experiencing allergies, call us today at (208) 336-7900 to request your appointment at LifeLine Chiropractic Center with our chiropractor.